NCJ Number
58848
Date Published
1979
Length
32 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO GREATER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS IS PRESENTED IN A PAMPHLET PUBLISHED BY A NONPROFIT PUBLIC EDUCATION ORGANIZATION.
Abstract
THE PAMPHLET REVIEWS THE STATUS OF FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE RIGHTS OF THE HANDICAPPED, PARTICULARLY AS THOSE RIGHTS AFFECT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. EFFORTS BY THE HANDICAPPED TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND TO ACHIEVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE THE COMPONENTS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION MEASURES FOR THE HANDICAPPED (REMOVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO THE NEEDS OF HANDICAPPED STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES, INITIATION OF POSITIVE STEPS TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, HIRE, AND PROMOTE QUALIFIED HANDICAPPED WORKERS). THE FINDINGS OF A 1973 STUDY THAT EXPOSED SEVERAL MYTHS ABOUT THE EXPENSES INVOLVED IN EMPLOYING HANDICAPPED PERSONS ARE SUMMARIZED. EFFORTS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INDUSTRIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES THAT HAVE BROADENED JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE PARALYZED, BLIND, OR DEAF. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE 'INVISIBLE BARRIER'--THE SOCIETAL ATTITUDE THAT ACCORDS HANDICAPPED PERSONS PITY INSTEAD OF EQUITY, CHARITY INSTEAD OF OPPORTUNITY, AND INDULGENCE INSTEAD OF ACCOUNTABILITY. CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH HANDICAPPED PERSONS CAN FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION ARE IDENTIFIED, TOGETHER WITH SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.